Fishing at Folkestone Mole & Copt Point
The harbour arm and the rock ledges below Copt Point give Folkestone anglers a bit of everything — summer mackerel and bass off the Mole, sole and flatties from Rotunda Beach at low water.
📍 View on the mapWhat you can catch
| Species | Season | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Mackerel | May–Sep | Feathers or a small casting jig off the harbour arm on the flood |
| Bass | Apr–Nov | Lures worked over the low-water rock ledges at Copt Point; 42cm minimum |
| Pollack / Wrasse | All year | Float-fished ragworm or small soft plastics tight to the harbour wall and rocks |
| Sole | May–Sep | Squid/mackerel strip fished at range off Rotunda Beach in the first hour of the flood |
| Cod / Whiting | Oct–Feb | Lug/squid cocktail cast beyond the groynes after dark |
Tactics
Copt Point is a proper low-water mark — arrive as the tide drops and work lures over the rock gullies for bass, or fish bait at range off Rotunda Beach for sole and flatties as the tide floods. The harbour arm is the easy option for a summer evening of mackerel feathering with the kids.
Best tide: Low water and the first two hours of the flood · Best time: Summer evenings for mackerel; low water sessions for bass and sole
Dogs
Access & parking
Park at the East Cliff Pavilion car park on Wear Bay Road, a short walk to both Copt Point and Rotunda Beach. Sat-nav: CT19 6BL.Get directions → Family rating: ★★☆ — Rock ledges are slippery and tide-dependent — fine for older kids with grippy shoes, but watch the state of the tide at Copt Point so you're not cut off.
FAQs
Is Copt Point dog friendly?
Yes — it isn't one of the nine beaches covered by Folkestone & Hythe's summer dog ban, so dogs are welcome year-round.
What's the best time to fish Rotunda Beach for sole?
The first hour of the flood over low water, using a squid or mackerel strip on a small-hook flapper.
Can you fish for bass at Copt Point?
Yes — lures worked over the rock ledges at low water are the standard, effective approach, with 42cm the minimum size to keep.
Nearby marks
Dungeness · Dover Admiralty Pier · Deal Pier
Last updated 7 July 2026 — sources & disclaimer
Compiled from angling guides, forums and the relevant council's dog byelaws, cross-checked where possible.
Rules and conditions change, so always check current signage and tides before you go. We do our best to keep this accurate but can't promise it's error-free.